Life-preserver.



P. BAHR.

LIFE PRESERVER. APPLICATION-FILED AUG. 3, 1914.

Zea-sensed Feb. 9, 1915.

1 127 8@&

PAUL BAX-IR, 0F CHI(.-\.G1 ILLINGIS.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

menses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 12915.

Application filed August 3. 1914. Serial No. 854,683.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL BAHR, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life preservers generally in the term of a satchel or valise which when empty may be hermetically sealedand attached to the body of the wearer.

lVith the above and other objects in view this invention consists in the construction, combination, and'arrangement of parts all as hereinafter more fully desoribed,clairned. and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a view'illustrating the present invention attached to a wearer; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the grip opened to illustrate the arrangements of the parts; Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the grip; Fig. 4 is a section along line 4 l, Fig. '3, and illustrates the valve mechanism; and Fig. 5 is a similar view along line 55, Fig. 3. illustrating the mounting of the pump handle.

Reference being hadmore particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates a valise or grip in general comprising the body 10 and top 10". both being constructed of metal and hinged together at 11. Snap locks 12 are provided about the tree edges of the top 10 and body 10 whereby these elements may be securely locked together throughout their entire free length. Both the body 10 and the cover 10 are covered with leather or some other material recognized as proper in the manufacture of luggage,,in order that the metallic nature thereof may be thoroughly disguised.

Each section 10 and 10 at their abutting edges, is provided with a semi-circular channeled rim 13. These rims abut when the valise or grip is closed and thus form a. circular hollow tube at the joint between the sections 10*.and 10 which tube constitutes a seal for the joint between said sections as I will be apparent. A continuous flexible rubber tube 14 is carried by the semi-circnlar rim of the body 10 and upon closing the grip or valise l0 enters and completely fills the opposite rim 10 of the cover. This tube when inflated completely fills the tube formed by the abutting rims 10*and 10 and thoroughly seals the joint between said section, thereby hermetically sealing the closed valisc or grip 16. It is, therefore,

necessary to inflate the tube 14: and in order to accom 'ilish this a pump cylinder 15 is monntedjn the body 1O and projects a short distance therefrom, terminating in an exteriorly threaded hollow cup 16 (Fig. ,5). A cap 17 is arranged to be threaded onto this cup and hermetically seals the same. Mounted 'for reciprocation in the pump cylinder 15 is a piston rod 18 carrying a piston or plunger 10 at one end, and projecting into the cup 16 at its other end where it terminatesin a handle 20.

T he lower end ofthe pump cylinder 15 communicates with a tube 21, which extends to a position adjacent to theitube 14. A valve casing 22 connects with both of the tubes It and 21 and constitutes an air inlet for the tube ls: from'the pump. :asing 22 is centrally enlarged as at 22 (Fig. 4) and has a valve stem 23 mountedin such enlargement through the medium or the cage 24:. 2% and operates between a valve 25 and the cage 24 normally to force the valve into its seat to close the inlet from the tube or pipe 21. enlargement 2-2. oi the valve casing 22 at a pointwhere the air in the t be 14 will en- This exhaust pipe pierces ter the same. the end of the with a cap 28.

in use the grip is emptied and lockedclosed. the cap 17 removed from the cylinder l5, and the pump operated. T his operation forces air through the tube 21 against the valve 25, moving the same on its stem against the action of the spring26. The air thus enters the valve casing and passes throngh'the cage 24 into the tube 14. The tube 14; being inflated hermetically seals the griplO, and transforms it into a life preserver. As soon as the pumping action grip 10 where it is provided stops, the spring 26 seats the valve 25 and closes the inlet.

To attach the device a body belt 29 of fabric is provided which encircles the bodv and which when not in use is rolled an held by the strap 30 that surrounds the grip as in Fig. 3. When the device is in use the straps 30 are loosened to pass over the shoulders of the wearer to snpport the grip 10. Should the grip 10 be opened while the tube 14: was inflated the removal of the em- This valve A spring 26 encircles the stem.

An exhaust pipe 27 is secured to the bracing rims thereby might cause the tube 14 to burst under the pressure of the air. To obviate this the exhaust pipe 27 and its cap 28 is provided. The removal of the cap 28 permits the air'in the tube 14 to escape seal for the joint between said cover and body, a pump within said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, a connection bet-ween said pump and said seal,

and an exhaust cooperating with said seal and extending to the exterior of said receptacle.

2. The combination with a receptacle comprising a bodyv and a' cover hinged thereto, of a normally deflated pneumatic seal for the joint between the'body and the cover, a pump within said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, a valve easing connected with said seal, a one-way,

valve within said casing, a connection between the valve casing and the pump whereby the operation of the latter will open said valve and inflate said seal, and an exhaust pipe communicating through the valve casing, independently of the valve, with seal and. controlled from the exterior of the receptacle.

3. The combination with a receptacle comprising a body and a hinged cover, of a normally deflated pneumatic seal for the joint between said cover and body, a pump within said receptacle, a valve casing con nected with said seal having a valve seatand spring-actuated valve cooperating therewith, an exhaust connected with said casing and projecting'from the receptacle aforesaid,-means for closing said'exhaust, and a connection between said pump and said valve casing cooperating with said valve casing for inflating the seal aforesaid and opening the valve against the action of its spring.

4. The combination with a receptacle comprising a body and a hinged cover therefor, of a normally deflated seal for ,the joint between said cover and body, a force pump located within said receptacle and operable from the exterior thereof, a valve casing connected with said seal at one terminal and with the pump at the opposite terminal. a valve seat within said casing adjacent to the pump connection thereof, a spring for forcing said valve into said seat, and an exhaust pipe connected with the valve casing and projecting from the receptacle, said exhaust pipe connecting directly with the seal to therear of the-valve aforesaid and arranged to deflate said seal with out movement on. the part of the valve.

In-"tes tii'non whereof I have hereunto aflixed my name in the presence of two witn'esses.

' PAUL BAHR.

Witnesses:

. Roar. KLo'rz,

' Q'r'ro l l zi rnn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

